Scotland in 'no mood' for second 'toxic' referendum: Scottish secretary
Scotland should not hold a second independence referendum after the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union, says Britain’s minister for Scotland.
“Of course there could be another independence referendum but the big issue is should there be another independence referendum given that over two million people voted 18 months ago to remain in the United Kingdom?” David Mundell told BBC radio on Friday.
“I’m clear there shouldn’t and will continue to passionately make the case for that and also for the benefit Scotland gets from the United Kingdom,” the Scottish minister added.
Mundell said people in Scotland are “in no mood” for a second referendum, calling the issue “toxic and divisive.”
In a June 23 referendum, Britain voted 52-48 percent to leave the EU. Scotland, however, voted 62-38 percent to remain in the bloc.
Following the historic vote known as Brexit, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her government was working to present legislation to allow for a second independence referendum.
Sturgeon warned it would be against Scotland’s national interest to be forced out of the EU when its voters chose to stay.
Meanwhile, Theresa May is set to meet Sturgeon in Edinburgh, using her first official visit as prime minister to “show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries.”
“I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom - the precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” she said ahead of her visit.
The trip comes hours after May completed a brutal shake-up of her cabinet, sweeping away many allies of her predecessor, David Cameron.
European leaders, who had urged the UK to remain in the bloc, are now pressing it to set out a quick timetable for its exit in order to prevent a long period of “uncertainty.”
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